Week 9 - Is This Love by Bob Marley

 

Another blog, another chance to just take advantage of this assignment to rant about artists and music that I enjoy. Bob Marley, the king of reggae: this man was a freaking legend as well as one of the wackiest artists ever. Still love the guy, but he definitely had an interesting journey when he was alive. Pretty sure he founded a whole religion too? Not really sure and it's late so I'm not looking it up. Anyway, the man is a legend and he made some pretty legendary music too. "I Shot the Sheriff" is such an iconic song and literally just screams reggae with its backup female vocalists and twangy instrumentation. I love that song, but I decided to go with "Is This Love" because it's one of my favorite Bob Marley songs and it's still in the respective timeline we're in. The song immediately starts off with a super rhythmic drum beat, organ/piano chord progression, and twangy guitar. Seriously, it feels like I'm bouncing up and down when I listen to this song even though I'm not moving at all. Then enters Bob Marley with his instantly recognizable and iconic voice singing some of the most catchy lyrics ever. I genuinely cannot stop singing the chorus in my head; it's simple yet so fun to sing along to, which I think was one of his main goals. He wanted to create a community with the people who listened to his music instead of just treating them as distant fans, which is why all of his songs just feel so personal and inviting. I think that's one of my favorite things about Bob Marley and reggae in general; it's music that you're meant to enjoy with others.